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DWCS Season 5, Week 4 Odds and Picks – Arkhagha vs Dobson

Cole Shelton

by Cole Shelton in Mixed Martial Arts News

Updated Sep 19, 2021 · 12:15 PM PDT

DWCS Week 4
Hashem Arkhagha headlines the card against AJ Dobson
  • Five contracts each were handed out on the first three episodes of the Contender Series
  • An intriguing middleweight bout between Hashem Arkhagha vs. AJ Dobson headlines the card
  • See the odds and betting preview for Week 4 below

Dana White’s Contender Series has been must-watch TV for MMA fans who have had the chance to see future UFC stars earn their way into the promotion. The show has produced the likes of Sean O’Malley, Maycee Barber, Geoff Neal, and Thiago Moises among countless others.

After three straight episodes where Dana White handed out five contracts, Week 4 of season five takes place on Tuesday, September 22nd, at 8:00 PM ET at the UFC Apex. In the main event, Hashem Arkhanga battles AJ Dobson.

DWCS Week 4 Odds

Fighter Odds at DraftKings
Hashem Arkhagha -130
AJ Dobson +110
Fighter Odds
Michael Morales +190
Nikolay Veretennikov -235
Fighter Odds
Steven Nguyen -235
Theo Rlayang +190
Fighter Odds
Kleydson Rodrigues -120
Santo Curatolo +100
Fighter Odds
Jacob Rosales -150
Victor Martinez +130

Odds as of September 19th.

Who Remains Undefeated?

Hashem Arkhagha (6-0) has been competing in promotions like BRAVE CF and UAE Warriors in the Middle East and has been dominant. He’s coming off a first-round KO win over Yuri Fraga and he has finished all six of his fights and has only gone into the second round, twice.  He started his pro MMA career in 2010 went 4-0 and in 2012 he walked away from the sport but returned in 2019 and picked up two wins since then.

AJ Dobson (5-0 and one No Contest) hasn’t fought the highest level of competition but the 29-year-old does finish his fights. Last time out, he knocked out Kailan Hill – who in his fight before lost a decision on the Contender Series – in just 35 seconds, and prior to that, he submitted his opponent in 24 seconds.

Arkhagha & Dobson Stats

Arkhagha
VS
Dobson
32 Age 29
6’2″ Height 6’2
N/A Reach N/A
6 Career Finishes 4

This is a really intriguing matchup between two finishers at middleweight, in a division the UFC needs new blood in. Both men haven’t fought the best competition but they both have made easy work of their opponents in showing they are levels above them, which they are. However, with that, we have yet to see them face adversity and when fighters face adversity for the first time, some can’t deal with it and get finished rather quickly.

In this fight, I expect it to remain standing for the most part where Arkhagha will come out aggressive and look for the KO shot. Dobson will likely try and clinch and wrestle to try and wear Arkhagha out but the 32-year-old actually has underrated grappling and he’ll be able to keep it standing. On the feet, he’ll eventually rock Dobson and put him out in the second round and earns a UFC deal.

Pick: Hashem Arkhagha (-130)

Other DWCS Week 4 Picks:

  • Nikolay Veretennikov (-235): Veretennikov is legit and has fought good competition while Morales hasn’t. He’s the better striker and will score a TKO win and a UFC deal.
  • Steven Nguyen (-235): Nguyen gets his second shot on the show and this time out, he’ll make good of it as he’ll be too much on the feet and score a first-round KO and a UFC deal.
  • Santo Curatolo (+100): Rodrigues hasn’t fought in nearly two years which is a worry and Curatolo will keep it standing and piece up the Brazilian for a decision and a UFC deal as the UFC needs flyweights.
  • Victor Martinez (+130): Martinez will be patient and pick his shots against Rosales and do enough to win a decision but not a UFC contract.
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